Kleefisch's term has focused mainly on jobs and veterans issues. She has been credited with coining the phrase "Wisconsin is Open for Business" and serves as the state's "Jobs Ambassador," leading the Governor's Small Business Summits.[4]

Kleefisch is eligible for re-election on November 4, 2014, but has yet to make her intentions known.

Biography

Kleefisch was born in the State of Michigan to David and Marijo Reed. Kleefisch also grew up in Northwest Ohio before moving to Wisconsin. Rebecca's father David, was the Vice President of Marketing for the Butler Corporation, which made envelopes, while her mother Marijo was an Interior Designer[5].

Kleefisch attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication in 1997[6][7]. After graduating from college, Rebecca began her Journalism career as a reporter for WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois[5]. Kleefisch continued her career as a reporter for WISN-TV in Milwaukee[5]. The former journalist was noted for her coverage at WISN of the 2002 Milwaukee County Pension Scandal. The scandal resulted the recalls of County Board Chairwoman Karen Ordains, along with County Board Supervisor Kathleen Arciszewski. Also, former County Executive Tom Ament resigned[5]

Kleefisch left WISN-TV in 2004 to be a full-time mother after giving birth to her first child[5]. She later formed her own marketing company before briefly returning to journalism in 2009 as a correspondent for WTMJ radio in Milwaukee. In 2010, Kleefisch announced her run for Lieutenant Governor[8]

Education

BA, journalism, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Political career

Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2011-Present)

Kleefisch has defined her main duty as being the state's "job ambassador." She went on to describe her role, saying, "I get paid to facilitate job creation and workforce preparedness, among other duties. With few constitutional responsibilities, the Wisconsin lieutenant governor can be nimble enough to focus on the most pressing issues and policy priorities of our state at any given time."[9]

An effort to recall Kleefisch was launched on November 15, 2011. Supporters turned in approximately 845,000 signatures on January 17, 2012 and on March 30, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board unanimously certified about 809,000 of them.[10]

Campaign contributions

Comprehensive donor information for Kleefisch is available dating back to 2010. Based on available campaign finance records, Kleefisch raised a total of $2,305,981 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 6, 2013.[12]

Rebecca Kleefisch's Campaign Contribution History

Year

Office

Result

Contributions

2012

Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor

$1,919,699

2010

Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor

$386,282

Grand Total Raised

$2,305,981

2012

Kleefisch won re-election to the position of Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in 2012. During that election cycle, Kleefisch raised a total of $1,191,699.

2010

Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of Renecca Kleefisch's donors each year.[13] Click [show] for more information.